Educator

William J. Boyd

Dondero teacher, coach, faculty manager, 1960-1991

Founding officer and past president of Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association, 1973

Inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, 1993

Inductee, Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 1997

William J. Boyd was a faculty member at Dondero High School from 1960 to 1991. Prior to that, he was a teacher and coach at Mary Lyons Junior High School in Royal Oak. Bill grew up and was educated in New York State. He played professional baseball with the Brave's organization before serving in the United States Army.

He came to Royal Oak to teach physical education and driver's education. Later he helped student in the learning lab by giving personal instruction and encouragement. He was also known at the attendance teacher for several years. He was active in the community through the Optimist Club and his church.

Throughout his career Bill Boyd was known as "coach". He worked with the football teams, baseball teams, golf teams and both the boys and girls basketball teams. His acute knowledge of the game and his sincere interest and concern for young people made him highly respected and well liked. Other coaches sought his advice and counsel even after he retired. In 1993 Bill Boyd coached the East All-star baseball team at Tiger stadium and was inducted that weekend into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. He had helped to create the organization and has served as its president.

His colleagues at Dondero loved him. His greeting, "What's happening?" is a way of focusing attention on others, and a discussion with him soon reveals his kind heart and gentle spirit. His smile and optimistic outlook on life, his keen sense of humor and his contagious laugh contributed to the high morale at the high school. Bill Boyd was the resident leprechaun at Dondero High School for over thirty years. He was inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 1997.